Italy international Matteo Politano has said that Inter Milan will focus on winning the final Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven next month following the club’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in midweek. The Nerazzurri had a three-point advantage coming into Wednesday night’s game versus Spurs but that was, however, nullified with the north London side bagging the sole goal through Christian Eriksen off the bench.

Speaking after the game, Politano acknowledged that the club were expecting a difficult encounter against Spurs and they were eventually left disappointed after conceding during the dying stages of the encounter, he said: “We knew that today’s match would be a very difficult one with Tottenham at their best. We played well in the first half when we did not concede much, in the second half it felt like we controlled the game, when all of a sudden their goal came out of the blue.”Continue reading Matteo Politano speaks after Inter Milan’s Champions League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur →

Japan boasts of excellent and mouthwatering cuisines and a colour-laden, vast culture, it’s easy to fall in love with the Asian continent, and Spanish midfielder Andrés Iniesta, like every newcomer has confessed his love and that he’s already drawn to the Japanese culture and norms.

Premier League side Chelsea would clash with fierce rivals Liverpool twice within a few days in September.The Blues are currently doing very well under new manager Maurizio Sarri. They have won all three games so far in the league and are geared to do more as they find that balance for the season.

The President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara has declared that his country is ready to host the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2021. The first gentleman of the West African country during a media interaction insisted they are fully prepared and are capable of hosting the tournament.

Ouattara equally made it known that they were putting appropriate logistics in place in order to meet and satisfy the requirements. Confederation of African Football (CAF) had earlier announced that the date for African Cup of Nationshas been changed from January and February to June and July, and also the number of participants has been increased from 16 countries to 24 countries.

Cameroon are the next and are ready to host the coming edition of the bi-annual tournament. In an attempt to respond to media speculation that the 2019 hosts may not be ready to accommodate the visitors and cope with the bigger tournament, Ouattara told reporters that his country will have everything in place for 2021 version of the tournament.

“We are very much aware of the decision to increase the number of participating teams and also the change in the usually date, in every situation, Ivory Coast has the necessary infrastructure to host the tournament,” the president said. “Some days ago, we staged the Jeux de la Francophonie with 4,000 athletes from 54 countries. So, Ivory Coast has the infrastructure and in any case, we will continue up to 2021,making available the necessary infrastructure to stage the final tournament.”

The 2021 tournament will be the first time Ivory Coast will have staged African football’s showpiece event since 1984 which is the reason Alassane Ouattara is more convinced his country can do it, as Guinea have already been nominated as the 2023 hosts.

Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard was in superb form as the Blues beat Huddersfield on Tuesday. Following the shock loss to West Ham on Saturday, the team responded very well as they returned to winning ways.

Antonio Conte admitted that the Premier League race was over as Manchester City widened the gap to 14 points. The Italian manager was widely condemned for such statement especially as the season was yet to reach halfway. It seems Stamford Bridge is merely seeking a top four finish this term, and possibly any other domestic title. In Europe, they have been drawn against Barcelona and it seems like the end of the road already.Continue reading EDEN HAZARD IMPRESS AS CHELSEA DEFEAT HUDDERSFIELD →

In a series of recent outbursts that paints frustration in its graphic form, outlaw Diego Costa says Chelsea are deliberately raising the benchmark of his transfer fee in a bid to trigger disinterest from the only club he pressed to end up at – Atletico.

The 28-year old says his contribution at the club is enough to make Chelsea reconsider making it difficult to move to the team of his heart desires. He also admitted that he might look into the possibility of moving to another side if Diego Simeone’s paymasters do not march Chelsea’s asking price.

Diego has spent much of his time in exile reiterating that he will only consider a move to the La Liga side, however, in his latest interview granted at his home in Brazilian town of Largato, the out-of-favour forward admitted for the first time that he might be open to any move that takes him far away from Stamford Bridge. Perhaps at this rate of beyond-the-Rubicon damaged relationships, he might even consider MLS Football.

“I’ve demonstrated I care for Atletico and have interest in playing for them,” he began. “But if Atletico and Chelsea don’t come to an agreement and Atletico don’t make a big effort, I can’t keep on wanting to play for a club that isn’t going to make a bigger effort to try and sign me,” he added. Continue reading COSTA ACCUSES CHELSEA OF SABOTAGING ATLETICO MOVE →

Borussia Dortmund, like Atletico Madrid, is one of the few teams in Europe or that have had the privilege of housing“classic” strikers within their ranks; strikers that deliver both in tactical roles as well as important goals.

Lewandoski started out there during Jurgen Klopp’sreignas the Pole was not shy to show what he could do with his frame and his keen goal poaching sense. It wasn’t long before perennial bundesliga star-poachers him to Munich. That marriage has by the way yielded 77 goals in 96competitive matches over the course of 3 seasons.

The Borussen were however – after initially struggling to fill the hole left behind by the six foot one – able to landShaktarDonesk’sAubameyang. The Gabonese turned out to be another world class poacher in his own right and even topped this season’s bundesliga goal scoring chart with another former Borussia Dortmund player not too far behind in the second spot – Lewandoski. Continue reading BALLOTELLI TO DORTMUND BETTER BE A JOKE →

Antonio Conte reckons that Eden Hazard will probably not end his association with Chelsea as he finds a lot of comfort at the club and also in the city where he is well settled now with his wife and kids.

But, Conte, at the same time, refuses to assure anything to the media because of the funny nature of the soccer world where the mind and heart of people can change very quickly especially when it comes to transfer matters.

Also Conte hints that he does not have the full authority to make the calls regarding the transfer of big players like Hazard and that authority actually lies in the hands of the Chelsea bigwigs.

As per Conte, he can only convey his opinion to the top and then it depends on them what they do, but, he believes Hazard’s sale is not something that the hierarchy is considering at all right now.

Spanish international, Bojan Kirkic has told his football club Stoke City he wants to leave in this summer transfer window.

Bojan, who has become unsettled at the Bet365 Stadium wants a move away should the right offer comes in for him.

The 26-year-old front man was not in the Potters’ squad for last weekend’s 3-1 win away to Sunderland having complained about some mild hip discomfort to manager, Mark Hughes.

Hughes having restated his desire to keep the forward, signed from Barcelona for £3 million in the summer of 2014, has told him he is still a key part of his plans. He assured Bojan of more game time after a meeting with his representatives, It is understood that Stoke value at around £12 million. Continue reading BOJAN KIRKIC NEARS STOKE CITY EXIT →